Friday, September 2, 2011

SNAPPING BEANS AND OTHER RANDOM THOUGHTS

The crisp air in the morning stands as a reminder the season to stock up, and put away is upon us. The art of canning has seen a resurgence in the last few years; a need has risen to conserve, preserve, and economize. Community gardens have sprung up in small town America and people seem to have a desire to reconnect to the ways that shaped our families, our lives, our way of eating. For a child not to know the flavor burst of a fresh strawberry or the juice that drips down your chin with the first bite of a tomato warm from the garden is distressing to me.

Such musings float through my mind, as I snap beans.
I can imagine some people think ~ 'snapping beans?' ~'who the heck snaps beans?' ~ 'WHAT is snapping beans anyway? ~
Snapping beans is the action you perform on green beans by 'snapping' them in uniform pieces in preparation for home canning. It usually consists of a large pan of whole green beans sitting on your lap with a small bowl at your side for collecting end pieces and strings to be discarded. This task of SNAPPING GREEN BEANS should be an undertaking with a favorite female friend, sister or Mom.
Mom and Grandma had an edge over anyone I know when it came to snapping beans. Multi tasking was not in their vocabulary, but these two women invented the concept. They could snap beans, cook dinner, smack a smart mouthed child, discuss the neighborhood gossip, and clean house all at the same time. They were amazing women. They accomplished more in one day than most people can think about in a week. But while they were snapping beans there was something that came over them as they methodically broke those little beans in segments. They seemed at peace, happy, and relaxed. They let the worries that plagued them drop away, and for the hour or so they sat on the porch preparing the beans for canning, I sat at their feet and learned that snapping beans was more than snapping beans. It became an opportunity to breath deeply, appreciate your loved ones, be grateful for all you have received and reflect over the wonder that such a small thing as snapping beans can transform your life and bring tears to your eyes.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Liebster Blog Award




Blog Award




I am honored to receive this award!
I was surprised to receive this award!
And now I have an opportunity to share my voice about some of the creative, innovative women that write and share their lives on the airwaves.
But what exactly is a ‘Liebster Blog’ award? The word  'liebster' is German in origin.
It means ‘favourite’ or ‘dearest’ in English. I searched to find the origin of this award but have only found that it is handed out by its initial recipient to 3 to 5 other blogs the recipient deems to be worthy of it, provided the ones chosen have less than two hundred followers.
Paying it forward in the true sense of the word!

The rules are as follows:

1. Show your gratitude to the blogger who gave you the award and link back to the person who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all – have fun with this and spread the love!

And so without further adieu, my first task as a Liebster recipient is to shout out a hearty
THANK YOU! to Jennifer at Cedar House Soap
She is an amazing young woman, wife and mother, grounded firmly in family, with a wonderful sense of design and creativity. I love the chats we have about everything from the quality of compost we have in the garden, chickens, chicken soup, kids and everything in between. And I am flattered that you think we have a lot in common! Thank You !

It is my pleasure to pass this award to 3 recipients:
Wanna Be A Country Cleaver
Her blog is refreshing and fun with recipes, banter and photos!

Out My Window I felt an instant connection to the woman that writes this blog. Being caught between the world of technology and the basic ways of a life gone by, I had to nominate her blog. Unfortunately I am unable to connect with her blog. But I urge you to take a look at it. I promise to keep trying!

Post Road Vintage If you love farmhouse meets shabby this blog is for you. It is bright and airy and has some great ideas for decorating! 

Thanks again to Jennifer at Cedar House soaps!